Imagine this: You’re transitioning to a new lesson and suddenly your classroom is filled with bouncing legs and restless bodies. There’s chattering everywhere and irritating toys everywhere. It’s time to give the brain a break.
It’s common knowledge that students need frequent breaks to stay focused and excited. However, during our so-called brain breaks, students’ brains are actually working very hard. Studies have shown that short bursts of exercise can help improve the brain’s working memory and blood flow to the hippocampus. In addition, the brain loves unexpected stimuli. So, instead of thinking of them as a break when learning stops, you can think of these exercises as another way to build your student’s brain function.
However, finding an ideal activity that is simple and hits the reset button can be a challenge. For some diversity, you may want to consider theater games. There are many exercises that actors can use to refocus, build community, and energize them that are effective during transitions or when kids need to refocus.
While they do help students focus, these exercises have other benefits:focus, executive functioning skills, growth mindset, social and emotional learning, and especially fun, depending on the game. Professor Gholdy Muhammad, author of Uncovering Joy, notes that we can find joy in the classroom “when we create learning experiences that encourage students to have fun and solve problems with their voices (and perspectives) at the center.” These brain breaks provide such an opportunity.
8 Fun Brain Breaks to Help Students Stay Focused
1. A thousand silent circles. In this activity, students stand at the edges of the classroom and then you make a statement to the class. Students who agree with the statement go to the center while the rest stay at the edge. Debate topics such as “zoos shouldn’t exist” or “unicorns are better than dragons” work well. You can also make connections to themes in the book (“Wilbur is brave;” “Wonka is kind.”).
Or use it as a way for the class to get to know each other (“I have a sibling. “I can speak more than one language.”) For additional actions, start your statement with “Jump into the circle if ……” and keep changing the verbs (Spin! Jump! Run! Swing!) This activity allows children to connect with each other and fosters fun and community in the classroom.
2. Mirror Game. The Mirror Game is a classic acting exercise developed by Viola Spolin, a pioneer of dramatic play. Working in pairs, one student is the leader and initiates the movement, while the other is the reflex and imitates their movement. The movements can be abstract, like a dance, or realistic, like brushing teeth or making breakfast. The leader keeps their movements slow so as not to leave their reflection behind.
In addition, students can make facial expressions to express emotions such as anger, fear, and joy. Partners can swap roles after a minute. Scientists have studied mirror neurons in the brain and believe they are the seat of empathy. When students see their own reflection, it leads to a greater sense of connection and belonging.
3. Laugh like a_____. Brainstorm a list of animals, creatures, or characters. Prompt the game with phrases like “Drop everything and laugh like a _.” It can be fun to do some in quick succession (e.g., “Drop everything and laugh like a monkey …… like a whale …… like a giraffe”). Science has shown that laughing releases endorphins in the brain, so what better way to reset?
4. Feather balancing. Have students balance a feather on the palm of their hand. This helps them practice positive thinking as they focus on the feather and move to stay upright. Growth mindset also plays a role in the game.
Carol Dweck, author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, says: “Whatever your ability is, effort is what ignites that ability and transforms it into achievement.” And while some students may say:I can’t do that! , you can introduce this magic word into the conversation and then apply it to more academic topics.
5. Boom, chicka, boom. This energizing chant can be repeated in any conceivable style. Try different book themes: “Big Bad Wolf style” or “The Lorax style”. You can also incorporate learning units with animals or occupations in the community. To engage the body, encourage repetitive gestures. Demonstrate a few versions and then hand the baton to the student to direct.
6. Human knot. Students form a circle and hold the hand of the person next to them, then use the other hand to hold the hand of the person not next to them. They must then untie themselves without letting go of anyone’s hand and find their way back into a large circle. This full-body exercise builds teamwork and trust. Encourage “making noise” to meet additional challenges.
7. “Down by the Bay.” This classic song by singer Raffi is a lovely way to incorporate music, rhymes and even acting. You can sing it in its original form and then encourage your students to write new verses. Have students fill in the blanks for the lyrics “Did you ever see a _” and then come up with a new rhyme to complete the verse.
This game is beneficial for early readers because research shows that rhyming improves literacy. Students can embody the rhyme by moving around the room or in their seats as if they were a “shark trying to visit the park” or a “T”. Rex has escaped the spell! This adds an imaginative and kinesthetic element to the Brain Booster.
8. Who started the motion? One student walks out of the room. Another is chosen as the motion captain; they begin a repeatable motion (e.g., rhythmic clapping, snapping, tapping their head, then tapping their feet, etc.) and then switch to a different motion. Meanwhile, the class imitates these gestures. Another student returns to the room and observes the movements, even as they change, and tries to guess who the captain is. In this exercise, students develop their observation and collaboration skills as they synchronize their movements.